Effect of Left Ventricular‐Central Artery Coupling on Cerebrovascular Hemodynamics: Insights from Endurance Training Intervention

Abstract

Increased pulsatile fluctuation of cerebral blood flow may mechanically impact on vulnerable brain tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate participation of central artery damping function on pulsatile blood flow transmission from LV to the brain using the endurance training intervention study design. We measured maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), LV ejection velocity (via ultrasound), carotid arterial compliance (via ultrasound and applanation tonometory), and middle cerebral arterial (MCA) hemodynamics (via transcranial Doppler) before and after 16‐week endurance training in 13 collegiate tennis players. After the intervention, VO2max was significantly increased (P<0.01). Despite a significant increase in LV ejection peak velocity (P<0.05), MCA blood flow (i.e., peak and mean flow velocity, pulsatility index) were remained unchanged (P=0.854). Carotid arterial compliance was improved after the intervention (P<0.01) and individual changes were correlated with the corresponding changes in MCA pulsatility index (r=‐0.584, P<0.05). These results suggest that because of the contribution of increased central arterial compliance, cerebral pulsatile flow fluctuation was not augmented even when LV ejection was increased by endurance training.